Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

Prince Jerón, an old acquaintance of Darkus and someone he had dealt with in Aesolloren, stood in the third row.

Jerón is a retainer of Darrowland and one of the most trusted advisors of the lord of the house. He appeared in Azorloth to protect Adana.

This can be seen in the case of Kesley, the family's champion enforcer and captain of the guard.

Jerón's abilities are undeniable, otherwise he wouldn't have earned D'Arrown's trust, but his personality...

In another timeline, during the Battle of Eden at the End Times, Jerome twice attempted to dissuade the brothers Danno and Dalos from their foolish actions. On the second attempt, Dalos slit his throat and threw his body into the stomach of a siren in the abyss. This was his fate—loyal to the very end, dying at the hands of the son of the one he served, without even a proper burial.

The reason he is one of the advisors is that as a leader of a kingdom and a great nobleman, Darrowland cannot possibly have only Jerome as his subordinate and confidant.

Darrowland was not the kind of nobleman who had fallen on hard times and only had an old butler by his side.

His court had all the necessary personnel and factions.

Standing next to Gerald is Cyrion Fleetcrest.

As the saying goes, every position has its own niche, and Jerome plays the role of...

Nasirion was the Grand Steward of the Court. The court was the domain of numerous courtiers and stewards, each with specific responsibilities. He was in charge of ensuring the smooth operation and ceremonial balance of court life, maintaining harmony within the court—in short, making everything "appear" normal. He held a high position in the court hierarchy and had a large number of loyal subordinates. This position allowed him to establish connections between all levels of Tal Corelli society and to participate deeply in the political maneuvering of Kosqui.

His attire and appearance perfectly conformed to court etiquette and the requirements of his duties. His plain looks and neat black hair made him appear ordinary, the kind of person who would disappear into a crowd in three seconds. But his inner self was completely different from his outward appearance—Darkius disliked him even before meeting him, and he made it very clear that he disliked him!

Duruci's intelligence system was highly developed in Ausuan.

Most who knew of Cyrion's existence regarded him as a kind and polite elf, focused on his court duties. He always maintained proper manners in his speech, and displayed appropriate kindness and sincerity.

Who would doubt someone like that?

But a few within Tal Corelli's upper echelons were able to see through him. Those who saw through him did not expose him, but instead tried to recruit him into their conspiracy. However, they wisely remained vigilant, keeping his secrets to themselves, fearing that one day he would destroy their own reputations.

In fact, they are right.

To put it nicely, he was consumed by an obsession. To put it bluntly, he was a complete madman.

He devoted himself entirely to weaving conspiracies. The ample time afforded by his high position allowed him to indulge in intricate calculations to advance his beloved "cause." He believed he was bringing order to chaos, but in reality, he was already lost in the labyrinth he had designed. More than ambition itself, scheming and power politics were his true passions. Some of his "cause" was noble, others not, but he had long since ceased to concern himself with the ethics of these actions.

His humble demeanor served as a disguise, and no one would associate him with the mastermind behind numerous complex conspiracies. He preferred to use "uninformed middlemen" as tools—these poor souls were often unaware of their role in a grand conspiracy until one day they suddenly found themselves standing on the edge of a cliff with no way back.

Marus: ?

As far as Darkus knew, Cyrion was engaged in a contest with Priola Silverheart. Although a woman, Priola was deeply trusted by Darrowland and served as its senior administrator, performing many of Darrowland's duties—in the political context of Asul, this was tantamount to holding the keys to half the kingdom.

Cyrion is convinced that Priola is plotting to replace him with his protégé, Oberin, as the new steward of the court. He is determined to destroy the reputations of both Priola and Oberin before they can achieve their goal.

As for evidence? It's not important.

In Cyril's world, doubt itself is evidence, and truth can be fabricated.

Although Cyrion and Priira had some dirty dealings behind the scenes, on the surface...

At that moment, Prioira stood beside Cyrion. The two were shoulder to shoulder, wearing polite smiles, their gazes fixed in the same direction, looking like longtime colleagues. They were both putting on a brilliant performance, and the audience—those standing in the queue, in the back row, or watching from a distance—mostly couldn't see through the deception.

Although Lytarius was still far away at Dawn Fortress, her daughter, Rivisa, was present, standing in the second row alongside the children of the council members. Though she had no second thoughts, she was exceptionally intelligent.

Darrow's second son, Danor, was unmarried.

Cyrion, based on aesthetic rather than political judgment, believed that Dano and Rivisa were a match made in heaven. He plotted to bring them together, and although both Dano and Rivisa had many admirers, Cyrion had to remove these obstacles one by one, while carefully designing an opportunity for their "accidental" encounter. A lost path in the garden, a seating arrangement at a banquet, a "last-minute cancellation" of a trip—in his script, there were no coincidences, only carefully orchestrated inevitabilities.

Yes, they've crossed the line. Or rather, they've gone mad.

A court steward, instead of properly managing his banquets and etiquette, went off to act as a matchmaker, and the kind of matchmaker who didn't hesitate to remove obstacles and destroy his reputation.

This isn't enthusiasm; it's obsession.

But Cyrion clearly didn't see it that way. In his logic, this was a "cause," just as noble and necessary as his political "cause."

However, on certain matters, Darkus and Cyrion share common interests. Cyrion's political stance has always been to enhance the influence of the Kingdom of Kosquie by strengthening the alliance with the Kingdoms of Itien and Iris.

Dakos had no reason to object to this.

However, his methods were somewhat crude in practice.

Besides influencing D'Arrowan, he attempted to weaken the traditionalists' political dominance by spreading vicious political slander and vulgar gossip. His methods were not debate, campaigning, or policy maneuvering; they were to smear his opponents, to make them lose face in social situations, and to let their wives hear gossip like, "Who was your husband with last night?"

Yes, very Asurian, very traditional elves, to the point of being obsessed with tradition. In the political history of Ulthuan, there are far more examples of people bringing down their opponents through gossip than those who won elections through policy.

However, this so-called alignment of interests is a thing of the past.

Times have changed, and Duruci has successfully reigned supreme over Ausuan.

Cyrion's meticulously crafted alliance plans, his slanders against traditionalists, and his calculations about who should marry whom—all suddenly seemed like child's play in the face of the behemoth that is Duruci.

Compared to Cyrion, Darkus subjectively preferred Oberin. He was enthusiastic, talkative, and, more importantly, besides being a student of Priola, Oberin was also an aesthetician, the chief disciple of the renowned Kosquieu aesthetician Melissandra Basinmer.

Therefore... Cyrion's concerns are not without merit.

Strictly speaking, being an aesthetician is a path, a profession that can be advanced. It's not the kind of title you can just flip through a book and call yourself; it's an identity that requires systematic learning, practical certification, and building a good reputation within the field.

The role of the aesthetician in Asur society developed gradually, not suddenly. Its origins can be traced back to the Great Sundering, the catastrophe that shattered the elven civilization, after which many Asur began to reflect: Why did our culture split?

They believed that this was due to their inner state and could be corrected by manipulating the winds of magic.

Initially, people attempted to achieve this goal through amulets, then through clothing to influence emotions, and by creating tranquil gardens to enhance the effect. Those who heeded the advice of aestheticians often decorated their homes with elegant and clean ornaments and furnishings, both to pay homage to the divine and to promote the positive flow of magical energy.

A well-placed vase can be more effective than a dozen exorcism spells.

Experienced aestheticians offer private services, providing in-home guidance on clothing selection, furniture arrangement, and creating tranquil spaces for relaxation.

They will teach etiquette, ensure the harmonious connection between the streets and the guide stones, and promptly address or alleviate magical imbalances or make reasonable use of related energies.

They would suggest establishing public shrines, parks, or art installations in cities and garden estates to help residents better focus their emotions and attention. They could sense changes in magical winds and ley lines and report them to the Hoss Cult in a timely manner.

How should I put it?
A Feng Shui Master from Another World?
Somewhat, but not entirely. Feng shui masters look at "qi," while aestheticians look at "magical winds." Feng shui masters adjust the layout, while aestheticians adjust the interaction between the entire space and magical energy. It's more like a multi-talented individual, half feng shui master, half psychologist, half interior designer, and half unofficial observer of the Hossic sect.

It all depends on how you guide them.

As individuals, aestheticians are often distinctive and extroverted. They wear brightly colored clothing, frequently adorned with personalized modifications and various trinkets; a brooch might come from Iris, a belt from Safre, and an earring perhaps acquired from a human merchant in Marienburg. Combs and feathers are used to decorate their hair, lightly dyed with honey and cinnamon or with pigments from crushed flower petals.

From a distance, they looked like a group of people who had stepped out of a painting; but as you got closer, you felt that even the painting wasn't big enough to contain them.

Their clothing, though elegant, was never ostentatious; their perfume, though fragrant, was never overpowering. They knew where the boundaries lay—where Asur was, where Asati was, and where Slaanesh was.

This is an almost instinctive sense of proportion, a keenness honed through countless trials and errors and feedback. They excel at finding ways to please the senses without indulging in sensory pleasures or falling into abstinence.

Just the right amount, enough to make one feel comfortable, and enough to allow the magical winds to flow smoothly.

And that's exactly what Darkus needs.

He prefers the current Azarion to the "Ruthless" Azarion.

Nothing special, it's normal!
It is neither dark, nor demonic, nor ascetic.

Lack of distinctive features? Indistinct characters? No character arc?

It doesn't matter; being "normal" is more important than anything else. You see, being normal is extremely precious. Expanding on the concept of "normal," it's like zero: what follows is -100, and what precedes it is +100.

The back represents darkness, which is Duruci; the front represents light? Is it Asur?

In Darkus's view, neither of these states is normal. On the contrary, Asley's state of oscillating repeatedly around zero is the most normal. This is because they acknowledge that they have a dark side as well as a light side, and allow themselves to move back and forth between the two.

And Asur? Asur pretends that the light side does not exist in darkness, while Duruci pretends that the dark side is the only truth—both are fanaticisms, both are diseases.

Get cure!

Therefore, the civil affairs system needs these aestheticians.

They understand moderation, know when enough is enough, and know how to find the delicate line between desire and restraint. Let them manage aesthetics, etiquette, and spatial arrangement—things closely related to daily life—and let them tell ordinary people what kind of home allows the magic to flow more smoothly and what kind of clothing can stabilize their mood. This is more effective than sending out a hundred documents.

Furthermore, their pursuit of beauty requires them to leave their hometowns.

So they have to go, to see, to experience. Therefore, they are still competent diplomats, handling both tasks simultaneously without conflict. An aesthetician visiting a foreign country can discuss trade and aesthetics; can attend formal state banquets and spend a whole day browsing a local market. Their identities allow them to appear in two completely different settings simultaneously without seeming out of place.

Exotic influences not only affected wandering aestheticians but also the cultures they encountered. Although many struggled to grasp the complex and subtle meanings behind each style choice—why pairing one color with another constitutes "harmony," or why mixing one spice with another creates "elegance"—they could sense that these things were good and worth pursuing.

To put it bluntly, they are good at selling products and are trendsetters.

Trading families may approach and invest in these companies simply to understand potential trends that can be exploited to profit from them, or to attempt to directly manipulate these aesthetic preferences for profit, guide customers to buy existing goods, or further inflate demand for rare items.

And this is exactly what Darkus needs.

Although the woven handbags from Horothos don’t quite fit the style of Duruci when worn, they are still very popular in Duruci society in Nagarus and Ashriel because women in high political positions choose to wear them.

They carried it on their backs, and those below them followed suit; those below carried it on their backs, and those even below them wanted it too.

The main idea is to influence those below by example.

There are many such examples. For instance, in times of limited information access, queens and royalty often served as trendsetters. They didn't need advertising or sales pitches; they simply needed the right products for the right people.

To reiterate, Darrowland, as a leader of a kingdom and a high-ranking nobleman, has people under his command and around him...

Fiasa Swiftro was tall and slender with well-defined features. Her expressive face often wore a serious expression, yet she couldn't hide her dry humor. She combed her long hair back to avoid interfering with official duties. Her robes were elegant and appropriate, with dark blue embroidery on the pale blue collar and armbands, highlighting the nobility of her position.

Yes, a robe.

Yes, she is a follower of the Hoth, an archmage, and a magical advisor to Darrowland, using her knowledge to arbitrate disputes or solve problems.

However, at this moment she was not in the formal procession, but in the ritual procession. After all, she was an archmage, and the ritual required her to stand in that position, to raise her staff, and for her voice to mingle with the sea breeze and drift toward Anireen.

Although Fiasa was not in the queue, her sister Miriam was, standing in the fourth row alongside the renowned Kosquien aesthetician Melissandra Bessemmel. Miriam did not have her sister's second gaze, nor her sister's robes, but she had her own place.

Compared to her older sister, this younger sister... is on the opposite side?
These sisters were originally followers of both Kunos and Matheran, and were the Asur version of beast tamers. As an Asur version beast tamer, her system naturally differed from that of Duruchi; the giant beasts she controlled were flying fish.

Since the magic of the drifting islands took effect, the fish have become increasingly difficult to track, their sporadic movements and shifting sandbars constantly disrupting the natural order. As a result, fishermen, in order to make a living, have stopped using harpoons and switched to fishing nets.

Miriam, like those who still worship Kunos, insisted on not fishing with nets. As resentment towards net fishing grew, fanatics among these beings began to deliberately damage fishing gear or drive schools of fish away from fishing boats using nets.

Miriam was not a fanatic at some point, until...

Until she and her fishing companion calmly cut through the waves, at her most familiar rhythm, her companion gliding on the crests of the waves, her leaning over its back, the sea breeze brushing past her ears. But unfortunately, during one of these waves, her companion got entangled in a gillnet.

Those invisible threads hidden underwater cut into the fish's fins and entangled its body, tightening more and more with each struggle. She could only watch helplessly.

In her anguish, she became a fanatic, an extreme one at that. She threw herself into Lyma's arms, and driven by revenge, she rode and controlled swarms of flying fish, attacking passing ships from the mist. Not all of them, but those with gillnets.

In her mind, anyone who uses gillnets should pay the price.

Her transformation caused a split in the system, with fanatics seeing her as their leader and no longer protecting passing ships, but instead turning against them and secretly sabotaging them.

Extreme environmentalists?
The other group consists of relatively less extreme environmentalists.
The leader was Ilorahin Sibro, who was standing next to Mirian at that moment.

He was once a student at Tal Corelli's "Sea Song Academy," but was expelled and ashamed to return home. However, instead of engaging in any abstract acts like suicide, he chose to follow in the footsteps of Kunos, possessing the talent of a beast tamer. With a natural affinity for giant beasts, he chose to form a bond with the flying fish.

Kunos's teachings were at the heart of his beliefs: he used only nets and spears to obtain what he needed, fishing to feed his family and selling the rest at the fish market.

He believed that net fishing was "plundering the ocean," but his approach was relatively conservative compared to Miriam's. He destroyed fishing nets, painted slogans on the hulls of boats, and repeatedly thwarted sea monster hunting operations as a form of protest.

Does Darrowland know what they've done?

know.

Darrowland wasn't blind or deaf. But he didn't have any good solutions, so he could only turn a blind eye and draw a line to prevent things from getting out of control.

In this world, the concept of environmental protection exists, yet it doesn't.

These Asur animal trainers active in the drifting islands are not, on the surface, environmentalists.

This all started with steamed buns, a story that's quite complicated and lengthy, beginning with the history of machinery...

No, we have to start with how the drifting islands came about.

The ever-changing nature of the Drifting Islands means that anyone who enters this realm without guidance will immediately find themselves in danger, with the compass spinning wildly and the stars disappearing without a trace.

This characteristic applies to both the invading Duruci and Norsca pirates, and the local Kosqui people. Lost crew members, if not found and properly guided, could only wait to die of hunger or sink with their ships.

These flying fish riders serve as pilots, navigators, and intelligence gatherers. Their duties include finding lost ships, rescuing shipwrecked individuals to safe waters, combating smuggling, and searching for lurking cult members.

Therefore, Darrowland needs these things to exist, but it needs to make choices.

Fishing and hunting were minor expenses; trade was the major expense.

However, that's all in the past...

Darkus and Serene pried Darrowland's feet apart, so that he was no longer in a situation where his left foot tripped over his right.

At that moment, Da Tou was also there, standing in the fourth row.

The Silverwave family runs Kosquieu's oldest shipyard, dating back to the time of Aenarion, and is renowned for its innovative design and exceptional service. As the head of the Silverwave family, Kelisses and his daughter, ship designer Eralia, are also present.

Dakos stopped and looked up at the sky.

Yes, the wind is strong, which is related to the geography of the Kingdom of Kosqui. But the weather is fine, with clear skies, making it a truly auspicious time.

There was no elegance, no freehand style, just casualness. He casually rolled up the left sleeve of his hunting jacket, then looked at the watch on his wrist. The watch was made by the Nagarlund Watch Factory; it was exceptionally exquisite and belonged to the luxury category.

As for the pocket watch he bought at the stall in Aldorf, he didn't throw it away; he didn't have that habit. He kept it. Looking back now, he must have been out of his mind—buying a watch at a stall instead of a watch shop in Aldorf…

His actions instantly drew everyone's attention. The steel shell structure and steel chains reflected tiny spots of light under the sunlight, and as he slightly turned his wrist, those spots of light danced in the air.

Well, this is also a form of live-streaming sales. Previously, watches were considered military items and weren't involved in smuggling, but now...

If the current situation weren't so serious...

After glancing at it, Darrowland stopped staring at the watch like his two sons behind him and looked towards the distant sea.

"They're here!" (End of Chapter)